Ask the Expert: Emily Varley
Emily Varley, a school special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) based in Leicestershire
Educational support pathway after brain tumour treatment
Louise Robinson is a neuro-oncology outreach nurse specialist at East Midlands Children’s and Young Persons’ Integrated Cancer Service. Here, she emphasises the importance of collaboration and explains how a support pathway helps young patients with their education.
Education after a childhood cancer diagnosis
Parents and carers of children who have been diagnosed with cancer often have many questions about school and education. Keeley McEvoy, Lead Assistant Headteacher of the Medical Needs Teaching Service working at Leeds Children’s Hospital, explains more about what to expect from hospital teaching, ongoing education support and transitioning back to school.
Medical advisor (issue 103)
Dr. Ren Manias, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Southampton General Hospital, explains that while a cancer diagnosis impacts a child's learning, various support options—including hospital schools, home tutoring, and remote learning—are available to help maintain educational continuity and emotional wellbeing during and after treatment.
Why working together is so important
Naomi Duxbury’s daughter, Mia, was aged four when diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September 2021. Here, she tells us about the importance of working closely with Mia’s school to create a safe, supportive and ‘normal’ learning environment for her.
New initiative supports young cancer patients with additional needs
Children with cancer who also have learning difficulties and autism often have additional needs when it comes to their care. Jeanette Hawkins, CCLG’s Chief Nurse, tells us more about a project aiming to improve support for this group of patients.
How is ambulatory care improving young people’s experiences of treatment?
Dr Alison Finch is a nurse and researcher from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). She explains how ambulatory care is positively impacting young people’s experiences of treatment and how a CCLG Special Interest Group has been formed to develop this care nationally.
Understanding the evolution of neuroblastoma to improve treatment
Single-cell transcriptomics linked to lineage tracing to interrogate the role of intra-tumour heterogeneity in shaping therapeutic susceptibility and resistance in paediatric cancer
The GRANS trial: Pioneering a novel treatment
Prof Robert Wynn, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Director of Bone Marrow Transplant at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, leads the GRANS clinical trial. He tells us how this innovative treatment is showing promising results for children with hard-to-treat leukaemia.